the president called each of the four congressional leaders before leaving hawaii. in his conversation with the senate republican leader, mitch mcconnell told the president, he must see details of any democratic proposal before agreeing to allow a vote, according to a mcconnell aide, who also said it was the first time the two men talked since thanksgiving. >> we'll see what the president has the to propose. members on both sides of the aisle will review it. and then we'll decide how best to proceed. hopefully itthere's still time r an agreement that saves the taxpayers from a wholly preventable economic crisis. >> democrats say the only way to avert that crisis at this late date is with the president's long-held position. keep tax cuts in place for households making under $250,000. >> there is absolutely no reason, none, not to protect these americans from a tax hike. >> but republicans say public pronouncements are not enough. they need and expect to get more details. meanwhile, the blame game is getting even more personal. >> john boehner seems to care more about